Superfast Kid-Friendly Recipes

Picky eaters and never enough time? Dinner doesn't need to be a battle against the clock and finicky taste buds. Our Kid-Friendly Recipes will have a nutritious dinner they will all love on the table in less than 20 minutes. Whether it's favorites like pizza, macaroni and cheese, or fish sticks, you'll find healthy versions of all the dishes your children love. The best part is that adults will enjoy these creative recipes too.

Picky eaters and never enough time? Dinner doesn't need to be a battle against the clock and finicky taste buds. Our Kid-Friendly Recipes will have a nutritious dinner they will all love on the table in less than 20 minutes. Whether it's favorites like pizza, macaroni and cheese, or fish sticks, you'll find healthy versions of all the dishes your children love. The best part is that adults will enjoy these creative recipes too.

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Cooking Light

August 22, 2011

1 of 60Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce

Chicken fingers aren't just for kids. Savory-sweet and addictive, the tahini-tomato dipping sauce offers a palate intrigue adults will love but enough flavor familiarity to keep it kid-approved.

Ham and Cheese Pizza

When a classic sandwich gets reincarnated as a cheesy pizza, rave reviews are bound to follow. Sweet, crisp Fuji apple provides a great balance to the rich, gooey cheese and savory ham, and everyone knows there's no better place to slip in some extra leafy greens than on a pizza. To get julienne-cut apple pieces, cut into thin slices; then stack and cut lengthwise into matchsticks.

Glazed Beef Skewers with Ginger Slaw

Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas

Finishing your peas and carrots is exponentially more exciting when bacon is involved. In fact, almost every dish is more exciting when bacon comes to play, so feel free to swap your family's favorite veggies into this versatile pasta.

Double-Chocolate Cereal Treats

These decadent chocolate-on-chocolate cookies boast full satisfaction and a dose of whole-grain goodness. And they’re ready to eat in a fraction of the time needed to prepare typical sweet treats. For added protein and a fun flavor variation, replace ½ cup cereal with ½ cup chopped toasted nuts.

Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches

Chip-Crusted Fish Fillets

The tang in the salt and vinegar chips mellows as the fish bakes in the oven, creating a crunchy spin on fish and chips. Look to hook-and-line-caught Atlantic or Pacific cod for the most sustainable choice.

Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Tiny pasta stars will up the fun factor. Or try orzo, alphabet, ditalini, or another small pasta. Swap in your kids’ favorite veggies—spinach or zucchini are good options. Don’t skip the nutty Parmesan, which adds extra depth to the soup’s broth.

Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks

Young cooks will enjoy breading the fish sticks and stirring together the tartar sauce. Look for wild-caught Pacific halibut at your fish counter for the most sustainable choice. Avoid Atlantic halibut. For tilapia, buy American farm-raised.

Honey-Lime Chicken Kebabs with Mango Slices

Sunflower Granola Breakfast Parfaits

To make this portable breakfast a snap, prepare the granola in advance and store it in an airtight container. Be sure to keep a close eye on the broiler so the granola doesn't burn. You can also sub pitted fresh cherries or any ripe berry for the raspberries.

Lemon-Parmesan Popcorn

A handful of ingredients (and far less salt) gives you better-tasting flavored popcorn than you can buy. To make sure the oil is ready for the popcorn, add a couple of kernels and wait for them to pop. Once they pop, add the remaining kernels.

Apple and Bacon Pita Pizzas

Cinnamon-Apple Panini

With a touch of sweet spice, cream cheese richness, and tart apple crunch, these melty-sweet sandwich triangles are sure to earn grade-A ratings. Serve as an after-school snack for the kids, or treat yourself to a quick-fix dessert.

No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

These bars are a perfectly portable snack you can prep on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week. Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. The bars will continue to firm up as they chill.